CBD and CBG for CRPS: What Does the Research Show?

Important: This article is an educational overview of research into cannabinoids and CRPS. It is not medical advice and does not constitute a treatment recommendation. CRPS is a serious medical condition that requires professional diagnosis and management. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome — commonly abbreviated as CRPS, and sometimes called Sudeck’s atrophy — is one of the most painful and difficult-to-treat chronic conditions in clinical medicine. It develops after injury or tissue damage, producing a disproportionate inflammatory response that spreads well beyond the original site of injury.

CRPS primarily affects the limbs. Hands are often affected roughly twice as frequently as feet. The condition produces a combination of intense pain, swelling, skin changes, and circulatory disruption. These symptoms can severely limit movement and function, and they often resist standard pain management approaches.

Because conventional treatments offer limited relief for many CRPS patients, interest in alternative approaches is growing. Among these, cannabinoids — particularly CBD and CBG — have attracted research attention. This article examines what that research currently shows, what it does not yet establish, and what patients need to know.

What Is CRPS?

CRPS is a chronic pain condition that develops following an injury — sometimes a minor one. What makes it unusual is the severity and spread of the response. The pain, swelling, and circulatory changes that follow are disproportionate to the original trauma and extend far beyond the injury site.

Researchers classify CRPS into two types. CRPS Type I develops without confirmed nerve damage — this is the more common form. CRPS Type II involves confirmed peripheral nerve injury. Both produce similar symptoms, but the underlying mechanisms differ.

The condition involves both central and peripheral sensitisation — changes in how the nervous system processes pain signals. Because of this, it is particularly difficult to treat. Many standard analgesics provide limited relief. Anti-inflammatory approaches help some patients but not others. This treatment gap is part of what drives interest in cannabinoid-based options.

How Cannabinoids Interact With Pain Pathways

CBD (cannabidiol) and CBG (cannabigerol) are both non-intoxicating cannabinoids derived from hemp. Neither produces the high associated with THC. Both interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which plays a regulatory role in pain signalling, inflammation, and immune function.

The ECS contains two primary receptors: CB1, concentrated in the central nervous system, and CB2, found mainly in immune tissue. CBD interacts with these receptors indirectly and also modulates several non-cannabinoid receptor systems involved in pain and inflammation — including TRPV1, which researchers link to heat and pain sensing.

CBG interacts more directly with both CB1 and CB2 receptors and also shows activity at adrenergic receptors. In particular, CBG’s affinity for CB2 receptors is relevant to its potential anti-inflammatory effects. Because CB2 receptors concentrate in immune tissue, CB2 activity has direct implications for inflammatory processes — which are central to CRPS.

What the Research Currently Shows

CBD and Chronic Pain

CBD has more clinical research behind it than CBG for pain conditions. A 2018 review in 

Frontiers in Pharmacology examined CBD’s role in chronic pain management and concluded that CBD shows potential for managing neuropathic pain and inflammation-driven pain. Several smaller trials and observational studies have found that patients with conditions like fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis-related pain report improvements when using CBD.

However, CRPS-specific research on CBD is very limited. Most of the available evidence comes from studies on related pain conditions — neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and central sensitisation disorders — which share some mechanisms with CRPS. Researchers and clinicians often extrapolate from these findings, but direct clinical evidence for CBD in CRPS remains sparse.

CBG and Inflammation

CBG research for pain and inflammation is earlier in development than CBD research. The most directly relevant human study is a 2021 survey by Patel et al., published in 

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. It gathered self-reported data from 127 participants using CBG-predominant cannabis preparations. Among the conditions reported by respondents, chronic pain was the most common. Many participants described preferring CBG-predominant cannabis over conventional treatments for their symptoms.

However, this is a self-report survey — not a clinical trial. It has no control group and no blinding, and it relies on participants’ own assessments of both their condition and their treatment history. The findings are interesting but cannot establish that CBG is more effective than conventional pharmacotherapy. That claim would require randomised controlled trial data, which does not yet exist for CBG and CRPS.

THC Trials for CRPS

While this article focuses on CBD and CBG, it is worth noting that THC-based research for CRPS has progressed further. An Australian biotech company received FDA Investigational New Drug (IND) approval to begin Phase 1 human trials on a novel THC blend specifically targeting CRPS pain flares.

IND approval means the FDA has reviewed the safety data and permitted the trials to begin — it does not mean the treatment is approved or proven effective. However, it signals that the research case for cannabinoids in CRPS is strong enough to justify formal clinical investigation. CBD and CBG research has not yet reached this stage for CRPS specifically.

What to Consider Before Using CBD or CBG for CRPS

CRPS is a serious, complex condition. Anyone considering CBD or CBG as part of their management approach should discuss this with their treating physician or pain specialist first. Several practical considerations apply:

• Product quality matters significantly. The cannabinoid market varies widely in quality and regulation. Always choose products with a published Certificate of Analysis (COA) from an independent laboratory, confirming cannabinoid content and the absence of contaminants.
• Individual responses vary. Even in conditions with stronger evidence than CRPS, responses to CBD and CBG differ significantly between individuals. Dose, formulation, timing, and the specific nature of the condition all influence outcomes.
• Interactions with existing medication. CBD can inhibit certain liver enzymes involved in drug metabolism, which may affect how other medications work. This is particularly relevant for CRPS patients who often take multiple medications. Always disclose any cannabinoid use to your prescribing physician.
• These are not approved treatments. CBD and CBG are food supplements in most EU markets. They are not approved medicines for CRPS or any other pain condition. Using them is a personal wellness decision, not a clinical treatment.

Final Thoughts

CBD and CBG attract genuine research interest in the context of chronic pain and inflammation — both of which are central features of CRPS. The mechanisms are scientifically plausible. Some evidence from related pain conditions supports the case for further investigation.

However, the CRPS-specific evidence base for both cannabinoids is very limited. CBD has more general chronic pain research behind it, but direct CRPS trials are lacking. CBG research is even earlier in development, with the most relevant human data coming from a self-report survey rather than a controlled trial.

For CRPS patients exploring all available options, CBD and CBG are worth understanding and worth discussing with a healthcare provider. But they should be approached as an adjunct to — not a replacement for — evidence-based medical management.

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational and educational purposes only. We review and reference available studies and reputable sources; however, content may not reflect the most current research or regulations and should not be taken as medical, legal, or professional advice. We do not make or imply health claims. Products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and statements have not been evaluated by EFSA or the FDA. Effects can vary between individuals. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before use and verify that any product or ingredient is lawful in your jurisdiction.